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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
This book is stupid. I mean that as a massive compliment.
I have been reading a lot of dark and twisted books lately because I'm a dark and twisted person. The only problem with this is that I read these books and even though I love them, I then wind up feeling depressed and devoid of joy which isn't ideal. To fix this, I searched for a book full of stupid fun.
Enter James Acaster.
This book follows a parody of James' life since leaving social media and attempts to find offline alternatives to online tropes. With Acaster's signature wit and absurdist comedy style, he offers advice nobody should take.
Can't Facebook stalk your ex? Get back into old-fashioned stalking with newspapers and disguises.
Need to make real-world friends? Join the Scouts in your 30s.
Miss being invited to parties? Open a catering company.
Miss targeted ads? Hire people to spy on you then create custom flyers based on their findings.
What are your old school friends up to? Plan regular reunions.
What are their kids up to? Open a daycare in a bachelor pad.
As stupid as this book is, it also gets you thinking about the absurdity of social media. Not just that but also the irrational way people interact with it. Some people harass people online but would never think of bullying someone offline without the safety of anonymity to hide behind. We may post images of our lunch online but I'm yet to meet anyone who would go out of their way to print off a picture of their lunch and hand deliver it to me.
Obviously, social media isn't all bad and this book is not remotely preachy. That being said, between the jokes and stupid fun, you do start to think. Because if the only reason you do something is "just because" or "everyone else does" or "it's the way things are" then maybe it is not worth doing. Or at least worth questioning and evaluating. Let's aim for doing things with purpose. Purpose and joy.
I have been reading a lot of dark and twisted books lately because I'm a dark and twisted person. The only problem with this is that I read these books and even though I love them, I then wind up feeling depressed and devoid of joy which isn't ideal. To fix this, I searched for a book full of stupid fun.
Enter James Acaster.
This book follows a parody of James' life since leaving social media and attempts to find offline alternatives to online tropes. With Acaster's signature wit and absurdist comedy style, he offers advice nobody should take.
Can't Facebook stalk your ex? Get back into old-fashioned stalking with newspapers and disguises.
Need to make real-world friends? Join the Scouts in your 30s.
Miss being invited to parties? Open a catering company.
Miss targeted ads? Hire people to spy on you then create custom flyers based on their findings.
What are your old school friends up to? Plan regular reunions.
What are their kids up to? Open a daycare in a bachelor pad.
As stupid as this book is, it also gets you thinking about the absurdity of social media. Not just that but also the irrational way people interact with it. Some people harass people online but would never think of bullying someone offline without the safety of anonymity to hide behind. We may post images of our lunch online but I'm yet to meet anyone who would go out of their way to print off a picture of their lunch and hand deliver it to me.
Obviously, social media isn't all bad and this book is not remotely preachy. That being said, between the jokes and stupid fun, you do start to think. Because if the only reason you do something is "just because" or "everyone else does" or "it's the way things are" then maybe it is not worth doing. Or at least worth questioning and evaluating. Let's aim for doing things with purpose. Purpose and joy.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
If you're looking for genuine advice, this is not the book for you (unless you're open to putting tar on your electronic devices and building yourself a castle with a drawbridge and moat eel). It is genuinely hilarious at times and I did laugh aloud which is a feat. It did drag a bit though so could've done with being a tad shorter (this may be my own fault though for reading the whole thing in one sitting).
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Very surreal comedy, I liked the world building and callbacks
A disappointed 2.5 stars. :(
I love James Acaster but this really missed the mark for me, it felt way too long and felt really lacklustre.
I love James Acaster but this really missed the mark for me, it felt way too long and felt really lacklustre.
My fiancé often tells me that I have a very specific sense of humour. James Acaster writes and lives for that sense of humour without a doubt.
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times. I love this surreal comedy style where something innocuous just kind of spirals.
My only complaint is that I think it was just slightly too long. I struggled to get through the last 40 or so pages. Overall, this wasn’t my favourite piece of art by Acaster, but I definitely enjoyed it.
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times. I love this surreal comedy style where something innocuous just kind of spirals.
My only complaint is that I think it was just slightly too long. I struggled to get through the last 40 or so pages. Overall, this wasn’t my favourite piece of art by Acaster, but I definitely enjoyed it.